Merry Christmas from the Haynie's

It has been a pretty crazy December. I had sinus surgery on Dec 15th in hopes to have less migraines and less sinus infections...we are still crossing our fingers on that one. Then, on Dec.18th my Grandma Dalton passed away. Her funeral was yesterday. Although she was in poor health and is a better places reunited with her mom and dad and her 6 siblings, it is so sad to see my Gpa so lost without her. And, at the same time, it is so cute to see how much in love they were after 62 years of marriage. It was tender to hear him with their kids at the casket. He talked about how she would still tell him she loved him every night, and how she liked to hold hands with him as they were going to sleep. I am so grateful for the wonderful mother she was to my mom. She shaped my mom, who then shaped me, and I will be forever grateful for that.

It seems strange that it is already Christmas Eve, but here it is! So, here's our

Top 11 Exciting Things of 2011!

1. June joined our family 2 1/2 weeks early!

2. Carl went to India for 3 weeks!

3. Carl got a JOB!!! We are going to be moving to Dallas, TX in August to go work for PwC as a Consultant!

4. EmmaJane & CJ started preschool!

5. Emma Jane is learning how to read!

6. CJ became a great drawer!

7.Lived in Portland, OR for 3 months this summer

8. We all got to pick up star fish on the OR coast!

9. Moving back from OR made our 10th move in 6 1/2 years of marriage...and we'll be moving again in August! :) I am now a professional packer!

10. Carl played intramural coed soccer, soccer, and football this year!

11. I ran my first 1/2 marathon!

I hope you have a very merry Christmas. I hope you are able to be with family and to remember the reason for the season. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful that He came to this earth to show us the way and allowed us to return to our Heavenly Father again!

Best Christmas FHE EVER!!!

So, we just finished the Book of Mormon together as a family! At the beginning of this year, our stake president challenged each family to read it. We had a schedule, and everything. And, we just finished it this past week!

When your audience is a 3 and 4 year old, it can be a little difficult at times, but I am so very grateful that we did it. I was SHOCKED how much the kids got out of it. Who know that a 4 year old could explain and understand the pride cycle? Who knew that when they were bouncing around and you thought they weren't listening, they actually were! Seriously, it is amazing how much they have learned.

It has created a tradition in our family. Who would have thought that our kids would be asking us to read the scriptures to them? It really has become a part of our nightly routine, and although, it is often very challenging, it is amazing to see little ones develop a love for the scriptures.

...So, in honor of finishing the Book of Mormon as a family, we went up to temple square in Salt Lake city with Carl's parents and sister and their family. And, the highlight of the trip was the church history museum.

This just reminds me of all those pictures with Christ and little children. I just love this picture.

Here with "Father Christmas"...he had to explain what he was to all the kids. It was pretty funny.

EmmaJane with the Liahona.

Carl and EmmaJane writing on the "plates."

EmmaJane and CJ getting taught by the missionaries.

CJ building buildings in the time of Nephi.

EmmaJane with the Brass Plates.

This is angel Moroni. He is on every one of our temples. The lady said that this one is actually a couple of feet shorter than the actual ones they have on the temple. Pretty crazy!

It was the best place ever to go with the kids. It really brought the Book of Mormon to life. It was a great way to celebrate!

Christmas Traditions

Courtney and I are still working on Christmas traditions with the family (I think we change things every year), but this video has become one that we really like. My church's Stake Choir in Florida was really good and the director found out that the church's Luke II video went perfectly with Celine Dion's "Oh Holy Night". The words fit the video almost flawlessly. So when we got married I put edited the video and music together and put it on a DVD. We watch this video every Christmas Eve before the kids go to bed.

Getting into the spirit

One of carls cousins family came over to make gingerbead houses. It was a sticky mess. I think in the end, the parents made the houses and the kids got to eat candy while the parents weren't looking. Good times though.

CJ practicing for the Preschool Christmas Program

Christmas is fast approaching. I can just feel it...especially when the kids come home from preschool singing Christmas songs and advent calendars! CJ came home singing this song the other day. I can't wait for their program.